|
absolutely
originally they thought there was only one estrogen receptor which was located in the nucleus of the cells containing estrogen receptors. Then they found there was another group of estrogen receptors responsible for effects of estrogen which happen much more quickly, that was located in the cytoplasm near the cytoplasmic membrane (between the cytoplasm and the outside of the cell) which was responsible for actions of estrogen which happened very quickly (faster than the more lengthy processes which estrogen turns on in the nucleus involving DNA, RNA, etc)
Now they are aware of subtypes of estrogen receptors, each of which may be turned on, off and work in different ways and be associated with different subtypes of bc and may be influenced by different treatments potentially.
The nuclear vs cytoplasmic staining refers to the fact that when they apply IHC immunohistochemical stains against the various estrogen receptors there is a difference in where the stains highlight in the cells and therefore where the different estrogen receptors are located ie, in the cytoplasm --"cytoplasmic staining" --vs in the nucleus--"nuclear staining"
Hope this helps
|